The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-10-15
A Badly Managed Reception.

MEMPHIS, Tenn, Oct. 14-The President is
here, the guest of the city of Memphis, and the
largest throng of civilians gathered IN the
city limits is here to welcome him to the South.
A delegation of half dozen gentlemen boarded
his train as it came to stop at West Memphis,
Informally conveyed to the excursionists the
greetings of the several committees formed to
do the honors of the city. and invited them on
board the steamer Kate Adams, which lay
moored close at hand. Upon the steamer they
were welcomed by about two hundred
of the leading citizens, members of the e1ecu-
tive, reception and entertainment committees
The boat was bedecked with flags, and its
spacious cabin was bower of roses. The
Chickasaw Guards and Memphis Mer-
chant Zouaves, with fine brass
band, upon the boat for escort
duty. The Adams cast off her line. and, to the
music of artillery salute fired from the levee
on the east side, steamed up past the city, the
bano playing and the people along the shore
cheering and waving their hats and handker-
chiefs The vessel went about three miles up
stream, to give the President opportunity to
see the works of river improvement in progress,
aud, turning came back to the custom house,
where. after little delay, the distinguished
guests were landed. Up to this time the
utmost Order preVaHeu tHo SuHty
thousand people on the levee; but when the
President and Mrs. Cleveland had been seated IN
their carriage, the throngs IN their enthusiasm
broke over all bounds. carrying away the col
ored militia guards stationed to keep the way
open: indeed, some of the guards seemed to
have Joined the moving irregular masses them
selves and followed on behind the presidential
carriage The progress to the hotel was by no
means the orderly proceeding it was designed to
be- a miscellaneous procession OF trucks, market
wagons and ten thousand negroes mixing
themselves up with the carriages OF the
committees and the guests: but there was ample
room and aside from the delay and the appear
ance there no harm done The presidential
partv was assigned comfortable quarters in the
historic Gayoso House, the parlors of the Presi-
dent and Mrs. Cleveland being richly and taste
fully trimmed with flowers and evergreens
The guests remained quietly in their rooms till
6 o'clock. when they were summoned to dinner
in their private dningroom
At o'clock committee of nearly two hun
dred ladies and gentlemen in evening dress as
sembled in the corridors of the hotel to escort
the fire works. Here again great deal of con-
fusion ensued the President and Mrs. Ceve-
land being well cared for, but the remaining
members of the party being to some extent left
to shift for themselves. The fireworks made q
creditable display They were exhibited from
three barges 10 the river. and were witnessed by
the presidential party, or a part of it, from
stand in front of the custom house. Returning
to the hotel, the President and Mrs. Cleve-
land, at o'clock held a reception, which
attended by 2, 900 or 3. 600 ladies and gentle
men invited by the committee on arrangements.
Memphis boasts OF the beauty Of her Indies,